Any free flight mode in Ace Combat 4?

I've been messing with this game for an hour or so and, to my utter shock...so far...I've yet to find a free flight mode like in the Dreamcast's Ace Combat 3!!!
Please don't tell me that, with all the absolutely gorgeous graphics in this game, that there isn't anyway to simply fly around and enjoy them?!!? A player is forced to do only the missions????
That would be unforgiveable for me and, cause for me to immediately return this product.
I've already found that taking off and landing is totally arcade. Hell, you don't even have to drop the gear.
Kinda bumming here. Having a hard time accepting the possible fact that Namco made this drop dead gorgeous sequel and then, "dumbed it down" from Ace 3.
I realize that this is NOT a pc flight sim and, wasn't expecting a hardcore sim-like product. BUT, if this is all there is, it certainly has been reduced, in a certain aspect, from Ace 3.
Anyone know if I'm missing something here?
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"...better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it". - Slater, True Romance

Better to have a gun and not need it, than to need a gun and not have it.